ClueBy
TodayArchiveWord list

Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 120 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

Make a worksheet

Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

Words on the sheet
468
Word bank
YesNo
↻ New worksheet

Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  2. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  3. When was this ________________ built?
  4. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  5. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  6. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  7. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  8. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  9. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  10. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  11. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  12. It's one o'clock ________________.
  13. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  14. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  15. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  16. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  17. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  18. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  19. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  20. Did you ________________ the button?
  21. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  22. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  23. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  24. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. bass — the instrument
  2. prune — to trim
  3. temple — a place of worship
  4. prune — the fruit
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. press — newspapers
  8. sharp — clever
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. branch — a division
  12. sharp — exactly
  13. lie — an untruth
  14. bass — the fish
  15. temple — side of the head
  16. press — a publisher
  17. prune — to trim
  18. sharp — with an edge
  19. bass — low music
  20. press — to push
  21. branch — of a bank
  22. branch — of a tree
  23. ruler — a monarch
  24. lie — to recline

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com